UT Dallas Tabs Rich Wieligman as Softball Head Coach
8/4/2015 11:03:32 AM
RICHARDSON, Texas – The University of Texas at Dallas named former Oklahoma State University coach Rich Wieligman as its fifth softball head coach in program history, Director of Athletics Bill Petitt announced Aug. 4.
A native of Lee's Summit, Mo., Wieligman takes over the Comet program after serving as the head coach at Oklahoma State for the past nine seasons. While with OSU, Wieligman led the Cowgirls to three NCAA Division I Championship tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2011 Women's College World Series. Over his nine seasons, Wieligman compiled a 275-227 record while coaching 24 all-conference selections, 19 all-region players and one All-American. In addition, he mentored 51 academic all-conference players and two Academic All-Americans.
"Rich is highly regarded as a top teacher of the game of softball and his success at Oklahoma State showed he can win at a high level," said UTD Athletic Director Bill Petitt. "He has taken the time to understand the Division III philosophy and is committed to providing a quality experience for our student-athletes."
No stranger to Texas, Wieligman played collegiate baseball at Lubbock Christian University, earning his bachelor's degree in education in 1985, and later served as assistant softball coach at Baylor (1998-2000), Texas Tech (2000-02) and Texas A&M (2002-06). While at LCC, Wieligman helped the Chaparrals to an NAIA National Championship in 1983 and was named an NAIA All-American in 1984. Upon graduation, he spent four years in the farm system of the Detroit Tigers as a first baseman/outfielder, reaching the AAA level. Wieligman would later play in both Japan and the Dominican Republic before starting his coaching career.
Wieligman began his coaching career as an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater before taking over as head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian High School. After working with the Boys & Girls Club of Midland, he began his softball coaching career as the head coach at Midland High School in 1993 before moving to the collegiate ranks. After serving as recruiting coordinator and hitting coach for Baylor, he made his first NCAA appearance in 2001 while at Texas Tech and then helped coach Texas A&M to four straight national tournament appearances from 2003-06, including a trip to the super regionals in 2005. In 2005, Texas A&M led NCAA Div. I in team batting average.
"I am ready to work with a new team and face new challenges and take the UT Dallas program to the next level," said Wieligman."Softball is softball, and I believe I can give the current players what they want--a chance to play for a championship."
The Comet softball program began in 2002 when Tricia Hoffman started the squad and coached through the 2005 season. Kim Sotomayor led the team from 2006-10 before Cassie Crabtree coached the Comets in 2011. Brad Posner coached the Comets from 2012-15, leaving as the program's all-time winningest coach. UTD has made four appearances in American Southwest Conference Softball Championship Tournament (2004, 05, 13, 14).
Contributed by UTD Sports Information
Dave Wester